The National tribune., 1887-10-13
TIE OLD HYMN
" Little Tony" the Drummer Boy Of
Go. A.
BY EDw. A. DuBEY. BROOKLYN, X. Y.
CHAPTER J.

"what shall it be, Fredp You know this
is Sunday, aud / can sing nothing but sacred
music"
Anything, dear, viii do; they are all nice; I;
suppose you sing Rock Of Ages"
oh no. interrupted a bright little fellow
Of ~ years; sing There'll BE No More Sor-
row There"
That is Tony's favorite." replied Louise.
" lie always was very fond of that little hymn"
!" All right. Lon; YOU sing The verses, and we
will join in the chorus. What say you TO that,
Tony2"
That is splendid Mr.. Clark"
Our story opens at tbe on urbreak OF the great
civil war Troops were being sent TO the front
with all possible haste Capt. Clark's regiment
was 10 start ON the following morning and he
bad come 10 bid a fond adieu TO his betrOthed.
He was the only son Of wealthy merchant,
and was AS good as he was noble and brave.
in fact. his appearance was that of young
man without fault or blemish-handsome and
refined. The other members of the party were
Louise Harding and her brother Anthony, or
Tony" as he was called for short. The young
couple had enjoyed each others company up 10
the present moment without giving way 10
their feelings; but now, as the time was ap-
proaching for the final farewell TO be said, their
couBtenances wore a sad expression. As Louise
sat before the piano and touched the keys with
her delicate fingers, her voice failed her on fin
ishing the first verse:
"Come. sing TO me Of Heaven
When I'm about 10 die;
Sing songs of holy ecstasy,
TO Matt my soul on high."
90, Fred j cannot sing tonight; really, /
cannot"
We'll, you play then, Lou. and we will sing
the chorus; won't we Captain ?"
I" Yes. Tony, yOu sing; it's your fayorite."
Withanf furt hpr f,prSuaSian Ia in a fnll
sweet voice the chorus;
Therell be more sorrow there,
There u he 40 more sorrow there.
In Heaven above
Where all IL love,
There II he no more sorrow theret
As he finished he looked at his sister. The
tears were streaming down her cheeks. The
Captain also was in tears.
why. do declare: YOU both are crying! j
donl see what there is 10 cry about"
We'll, Tony, leave ms for a few moments; !;
that is good boy"
As requested, he left the room. muttering as
he went out, Captain amt used TO hymns,
guess"
When he had gone, and the lovers were alone
Fred Clark put his arm about his darling, and
drawing her head down upon his bosom, inn
printed a kiss on the white forehead. Don't
Lou" he said; " j have dreaded this moment
OF parting, and il has come at last, and much
sooner than ] expected. TOny's hymn has done
it. Now. dear, be strong and true until re-
turn. This will not last long; few months,
and the war will be over; then shall return
TO claim you for my wife, which you have
promised 10 be-"
Yes, Fred, ! viii; but IL is bard 10 part
with those we love"
But, dear, il is only for a short period; this
cannot last over three months at the longest" |"
Something tells me that il viii. Oh, why
should this have hRppened2 Why could il not
have been settled without taking the flower of
our Northern homes 10 face the same Of the
SOuth2"
But all Of the young men am acquainted
with have Joined some Of the many regiments
that have been raised in this grand State of
ours; and Massachusetts is sending her quota
TO the front as fast as they arc called for"
Well. Fred, j will be brave" and 10 verify
her words, she wiped the tears from her ewes
aud forced a laugh from her lips; but it was not
the ringing laugh of old that Fred had heard
SO many times. Now, you will wIs1 ofUen,
won't you ?" she said.
Yes dear, every day"
"And will not close my eyes after have
received letter until it has been answered.
Now goOd-by, and may God bless you !" and
with one long embrace Fred Clark tore himself
away from the girl he loved.